Bathtub



Sept. 3, 1929. MlRKlN 1,726,752

BATHTUB Filed March 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR.

MaxMl'rhzw Sept. 3, 1929. M. MIRKIN 1,726,752

BATHTUB Filed March 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAX MIRKIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO HARRY BUDMAN, OF NEW YORK,N. Y.

Application filed March 26, 1928. Serial No. 264,836.

This invention relates to improvements in bath tubs and moreparticularly that type of collapsible bath tub suitable for use inwashing or bathing children.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple andpractical bath tub of the above general character which may beinexpensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide an article of the above character whichwill be very strong and durable and maintain its set up position withoutdanger of collapsing or spilling the contents of the tub.

A further object is to provide a tub of the above character with variousattachments and accessories whereby the device as a whole will be mostconvenient and serviceable in use and operation.

A further object is to provide a bath tub of the above general characterwith a dressing table attachment which may be easily moved fromoperative to inoperative posi tion, or vice versa, or whereby the samedressing table attachment may be permanently set up adjacent the tub.

A further object is to provide various locking and holding features in atub of this character whereby there will be no danger of the tubcollapsing, and when the parts are collapsed, will remain in theircollapsed position.

A further object is to provide a structure of the above generalcharacter with various braces connected with the frame for convenienceof manipulation and to avoid danger of splitting or tearing the flexiblematerial of which the tub itself is made.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and inpart hereinafter indicated in connection therewith by the followinganalysis of this invention.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construct-ion,combination of parts and in the unique relation of the memhers and inthe relative proportioning and disposition thereof, all as morecompletely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlyingfeatures thereof that they may embody the same by the numerousmodifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention,drawings depicting a preferred form of the invention have been annexedas part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters ofreference denote correspondin parts throughout all of the views, of whicFig. 1 is a front elevational view of the tub with the dressing table inposition;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 showing the same tabledifferently located or positioned with respect to the tub;

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing one of the detachable legs of the tablewhen used as in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of another detail;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail plan view, partly in section, showingcertain details of construction;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the locking means forholding the back rack in place;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of one of the side braces;

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the locking means forholding. the dressing table in place;

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective View showing the manner in which thedressing table is attached to the tub;

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of one of the forward supports forthe dressing table.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective View of a securlng means.

It is, of course, realized that collapsible dressing tables of thegeneral character herein set forth are old and well known, asillustrated in my prior patent, No. 1,650,720, November 29, 1927, andthe present invention is directed to certain improvements in suchconstruction.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 20 indicates the supportinglegs for the tub. These are preferably made of stamped out metal and arepivotally connected at 21, whereby the tub may be collapsed in themanner hereinafter set forth. The legs are longitudinally connectedalong their lower ends by horizontal braces 22, as well as diagonalbraces 23, thereby to provide a substantial structure free from endwisemovement when the tub is set up and filled with water. It will be notedparticularly that a stamped sheet metal brace 24 is also used at thepoint 21, which brace includes extending lugs 25 adapted to engage thelegs 20 thereby to limit their expanding movement beyond a predeterminedamount. This positively pre- .vents a tearing of the fabric or anystrain whatsoever during the unfolding of the tub.

The upper parts of these supporting legs are connected preferably bylongitudinally extending wooden strips. 26 to which the tub itself isdirectly attached. The tub 27 may be made of any suitable collapsiblematerial such as rubberized fabric, and is provided with a valve orspigot mechanism 28 to permit draining of the tub, as Well as filling,for it is quite obvious that the tube 30 may have its free end connectedwith the bath tub spigot for filling the tub or be left free fordraining the tub.

Transversely extending between the bars are braces 31. These braces 31are shown more clearly in Fig. 6, .and are preferably made from stampedsheet metal having hooks 32 at one end adapted to snap into eyelets 33and be held in place by means of band springs 34, Fig. 12. The oppositeends of these braces 31 are pivotally connected at 35 to provide alaterally swinging movement with respect to a hook-like member 36, whichpasses thru a slotted member 37 permanently secured in any desiredmanner to the rear strip 26. These details of construction are shownclearly in Fig. 8. This universal y'oint construction is very desirableinasmuc 1 as it permits the braces during assembly to be swunglaterally, as well as vertically, clear of the tub and then droppeddownwardly and vertically into place. It will also be noted that theseend braces 31 carry supporting members 38 from which an adjustablesupport may be suspended as shown clearly in my prior patent abovereferred to.

The front of the bath tub is preferably provided with a dependingcurtain 40 having pockets for holding wash-cloths, soap or the like, aswell as a pivotally mounted depending towel rack 41. Both of thesemembers swing relatively inwardly when the tub is collapsed.

Considering now the dressing table, this comprises a rectangular framework 42 having a plurality of buttons 43 along each side, to which thecover 44 may be detachably secured. This cover itself is preferably ofheavy canvas and mounted in such a way that it may be easily and quicklytaken off to be cleaned. The table as shown more clearly in Fig. 6 isprovided parallel to each end, but spaced slightly inwardly therefromwith bars or wires 45 which are adapted to coact with a curvedsupporting means 46 secured to the longitudinal members 26 as shownclearly in Fig. 10. These wires 45 are adapted to be sprun into a recess47 and held in position whereby when the table top is grasped by thehandle 48, in Fig. 2, it may be moved upwardly and rearwardly having acombined sliding and pivotal movement by reason of the wire and slottedconstruction above described until it hangs in a vertical position asindi cated in dotted lines. When it is desired to restore the table topto its horizontal position of use, then the handle 48 is grasped andswung upwardly and forwardly and then down into the horizontal position.The forward ends of the wires rest in the supports shown in Figs. 9 and11. At one side of the support 50 shown in Fig. 11, there is a sheetmetal notch into which the wire 45 is rested. The wire 45 at theopposite end, as shown in Fig. 9, rests in a similar slotted sheet metalmember 51, but is'heldin locked position by means of latch 52 pivoted at53 and held by its locking position as by means of a spring 54. Thus,the table is rigidly secured in place and held against movement in anydirection by means of the braces 50, 51 cooperating with the supports 46on the opposite rail 26 and also held against unintentional upwardmovement.

If desired, this same identical dressing table may be provided withdetachable legs and mounted in the manner shown in Fig. 3. These legs55, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, are pivotally connected at 56, andtheir upper ends provided with brackets 57 secured in any desired manneras by means of screws passing thru holes 58 into the end frame of thetable top. One of these legs is preferably provided with a catch 60secured to the end side of the frame as shown in Fig. 3 and yieldinglyheld in locking engagement by means of leaf spring 61. In this manner,there is no danger of the legs 55 moving in their lateral direction,thereby unintentionally allowing the table top to collapse.

It will also be noted that the table top regardless of the position inwhich it-is attached to the tub is provided with a back rack 62 providedwith pockets 63 for holding talcum powder or other accessories. Thisback rack is pivotally mounted at its ends to the frame work of thedressing table and includes an upwardly extending wire frame adapted tocooperate with a locking device as shown more clearly in Figs. 6 and 7.In other words, the end wires of the frame 62 are pivoted at 64, but areadapted to snap into notches 65 and be held in either raised or loweredpositions, as shown in Fig. 2. Were it not for this construction, itwillbe apparent that when the dressing table is moved to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 2, then this back rack would occupy a horizontalposition tending to allow the contents of the pockets 63 to roll out.If, however, this back rack is swung upwardly to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 2 prior to the removal of the dressing table,then the contents of the pockets will occupy a, vertical positionwithout danger of dropping out.

From the above, the operation and method of use of the present deviceshould be clear, especially when taken in connection with my priorpatent above referred to, and it is probably unnecessary to go into thedetails thereof. It will be seen from the description and drawings thatthe present invention contemplates a simple and practical device, whichwill vbe safe in use and operation, free from any lateral orlongitudinal movement tending to spill the water when the tub is in useand provided with a removable and alternately applicable dressing tablefor use in connection with the tub, upon which the child may beconveniently placed while being dried and dressed.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthis invention that others can by applying current knowledge readilyadapt it for various applications without omitting certain featuresthat, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention,and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, in combination,main longitudinally extending supporting frame members from which thetub is supported, and end braces connecting the front and back framemembers having a universal connection at one end with one of the framemembers, and a locking engagement at their opposite ends with the otherframe member.

2. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, in combination,main lon itudinally extending supporting frame mem ers from which thetub is supported, and end braces connecting the front and back framemembers having a universal connection at one end with one of the framemembers, and a locking engagement at their opposite ends with the otherframe member, said end braces having supporting brackets intermediatetheir ends adapted to depend over the sides of the collapsible tub.

3. In a collapsible tub of the character described, in combination, mainlongitudinally extending supporting frame members from which the tub issupported, the rear frame member being provided with notched sheet metalmembers, and a relatively movable dressing table having a bar associatedtherewith engaging said notched members whereby the dressing table maybe slidably swung upwardly and over the top.

4. In a collapsible tub of the character described, in combination, mainlongitudinally extending supporting frame members from which the tub issupported, the rear frame members being provided with notched sheetmetal members, and a relatively movable dressing table having a barassociated therewith engaging said notched members whereby the dressintable may be slidably swung upwardly an over the top, the connectionbetween the table and tub being such as to permit ready removal andseparation of the parts.

5. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, in combination,main longitudinally extending supporting frame members from which thetub is su ported, the rear frame member bein provided with notchedmembers, and a re atively movable dressing table having means associatedtherewith engaging said notched members whereby the dressingtable may beslidably swung upwardly and over the top, and supports on the forwardframe member adapted to coact with said dressing table and hold the samein locking position.

6. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, in combination,main longitudinally extending supporting frame members from which thetub is supported, a dressing table comprising a rectangular frame havingtransverse wires or the like adjacent and parallel to its ends, andnotched devices on the rear longitudinal frame member coacting with saidwires whereby the table may have a sliding and swinging movement withrespect to the tub in going from horizontal to vertical position.

7. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, in combination,main longitudinally extending supporting frame members from which thetub is supported, a dressing table comprising a rectangular frame havingtransverse wires or the like adjacent and parallel to its ends, andnotched devices on the rear longitudinal frame member coacting with saidwires whereby the table may have a sliding and swinging movement withrespect to the tub in going from horizontal to vertical position, andmeans on the other frame member for holding said table locked inhorizontal position.

8. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, in combination,main longitudinally extending supporting frame members from which thetub is supported, a dressing table having a sliding and swingingmovement with respect to said tub, and a back rack pivotally mountedupon said table, and means associated with the pivot for holding saidback rack in relatively vertical or horizontal p0s1- tion as desired.

9. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, in combination,main longitudinally extending supporting frame members from which thetub is supported, a dressing table comprising a rectangular frame memberhaving wires or the like ad acent and parallel to the ends, andcooperating devices on the rear frame member coacting with said wireswhereby the table may; be attached to the tub either along thelongitudinal side or the end side as desired.

10. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, incombination, main longitudinally extending supporting frame members fromwhich the tub is supported, a dressing table comprising a rectangularframe member having wires or the like adjacent and parallel to the ends,and cooperating devices on the rear frame member coacting with saidwires whereby the table may be attached to the tub either along thelongitudinal side or the end side as desired, and means associated withthe front longitudinal member for holding said table in lockedhorizontal position whether secured to the tub along the longitudinalside or the end side.

11. In a collapsible bath tub of the'character described, incombination, main longitudinally extending supporting frame members fromwhich the tub is supported, a dressing table comprising a rectangularframe member having wires or the like adjacent and parallel to the ends,cooperating devices on the rear frame member coacting with said wireswhereby the table may be attached to the tub either along thelongitudinal side or the end side as desired, means associated with thefront longitudinal member for holding said table in locked positionwhether secured to the tub along the longitudinal side or the,

end side, and detachable legs associated with said table for supportingthe table in horizontal position when mounted at the end of the tub.

12. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, incombination, 'main longi- I tudinally extending supporting frame membersfrom which the tub is supported, a towel rack or the like pivotallysuspended from one of said frame members, and a dressing table pivotallysuspended from the other of said frame members, and means whereby saiddressing table may be slidably swung upwardly and over the tub andlocked in position on said first frame member.

13., In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, incombination, main longitudinally extending supporting frame members fromwhich the tub is supported, a towel rack or the like pivotally suspendedfrom one of said frame members, a dressing table pivotally suspendedfrom the other of said frame members, and means whereby said dressingtable may be slidably swung upwardly and over the tub and locked inposition on said first frame member, and braces interposed between saidfront and rear frame members for holding the same in relative positionagainst expanding or collapsing movement.

14. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, incombination, main longitudinally extending supporting frame members fromwhich the tub is supported, supporting legs for said frame havingcrossed pivotal connections, means for limiting the pivotal movement ofsaid legs as the table is expanded, braces connecting the front and rearframe members adapted to prevent collapsing of the tub, and a dressingtable detachably, pivotally and slidably connected with one of the framemembers, whereby it may be applied to the side or end "of the tub asdesired, and means for locking said table in horizontal position.

15. In a collapsible bath tub of the character described, incombination, main longitudinally extending supporting frame members fromwhich the tub is supported, supporting legs for said frame havingcrossed pivotal connections, means for limiting the pivotal movement ofsaid legs as the table is expanded, brackets connecting the front andrear frame members adapted to prevent collapse of the tub, and adressing table detachably, pivotally and slidably connected with one ofthe frame members, whereby it may be applied to the side or end of thetub as desired, means for locking said table in horizontal position, anda back rack on said dressing table having oekets therein, and means forlocking said tiack rack in substantially vertical or horizontal positionas desired depending on the horizontal or vertical position of thedressing table.

Signed at New York, New York, this 20 day of March, 1928.

MAX MIRKIN.

